Choosing Safe Dog Toys

Anyone who has a dog knows they are a part of the family. When they feel like a child to you, you want to give them the best regardless it be food, toys, or misc. items. Dogs are a wonderful creature that bring warmth and pleasure and can always put a smile on your face. These precious animals love to play and we spend countless dollars on dog toys every year. Why do we do this? Well most of the time the toy will either shred away or after playing with it for a while you come to realize it isn’t as safe as you thought.

When you are selecting a dog toy, you try to get the one that is personalized to your dog. Every dog is different – some like to chew, some like to hear noises, and some like to have something that they can catch. The selection of the dog toy is important because you don’t want your hard earned money being dug underneath the yard. Sadly, the safety of the dog toy isn’t noticeable until after your dog has played with it. Here are some tips to look for when selecting a safe dog toy:

Check the Ingredients: That’s right. Just as if you were going to buy a food product and read the ingredients, you would do the same to see what your dog’s toy is made out of. Be sure to look for artificial colorings or even food flavors. The dog’s mouth is constantly in contact with the dog toy and whatever the dog toy is made out of ends up in your dog’s stomach. If you want to make sure your dog will not experience any bad symptoms, either look for the ingredients or do research on the specific dog toy.

Easy to rip fabric or add-ons: The variety of dog toys on the market today is insane – there are countless balls, Frisbees, and of course the “stuffed” animals. Be careful when selecting a toy that could be passed as a toy for a child. For starters, this could confuse the dog and lead the dog to chew other toys, such as your daughter’s dolls or your son’s action figures. Mainly though these type of toys could lead to suffocation and build up in the dog’s stomach or intestines. The small particles of fabric or stuffing can lodge into the dog’s throat or the dog may swallow the particles. To avoid these potential tragedies, look for toys that withstand heavy chewing or opt to get a toy that is made of material that is organic.

Lastly, be sure to look for the dog toy’s manufacturing location: Sounds a bit odd, huh? Even though is not probably the most important tip, it is still vital to your dog’s health. Seems like every day there is a new story about toxins and chemicals getting into food, toys, and many other things. Since dog toys are not closely regulated as human products are, some infected toys can be passed out into the market. Do your research by checking to see if certain dog toy companies have issued any recalls. Also, talk to friends and neighbors to find out if they had issues with their dog toys.

Families across the world have a dog in their household and treat them like any other human being. With that being said, dog owners should be cautious when purchasing items for their beloved family members. When it comes to dog toys or even treats, make sure to read the ingredients to see what your dog could be potentially eating. You know the saying less is more? Well that is perfectly suitable when it comes to dog toys. If there is a toy that is loaded with add on features such as buttons, feathers, strings, or zippers – stay clear! All those items could be potential choking hazards for your dog. The importance of this last tip is a bit lower but still important – check to see if certain dog toys have been recalled. Follow these tips and the next time you are out buying a dog toy, you will be able to safely pick a toy that is suitable for your dog!